NDT News

NDT News

All around the country, welders can make a dependable middle class living off of their skills and knowledge. However, you need to be able to pass your exam to become a high paid certified welder. If you're not prepared to take the CWI test, all the talent in the world won't amount to much.

Here are three things to remember to ensure that you pass your test on the first try.

1. Prepare in Advance

No matter what the test is, if you don't make a serious effort to prepare, you're not going to do well. This is especially true for a welding exam.

Even if you're an experienced welder who has been at it for 20 years, you might not be prepared for the exam. Over time, even the best welder can build up some bad habits that the CWI testers will fail you for.

There is a lot of reference material to read over before you arrive on test day. It should be reviewed a few times to ensure that you know what to expect.

Take a few practice exams that include time restraints. That way you'll be prepared for the pressure of taking your CWI exam. Ask a few colleagues if they've had good experiences with an exam company so you can get the help you need.

2. Go In With a Testing Strategy

There are three main parts of your CWI test. Each portion has its own unique challenges and without a plan of attack, you could end up wasting precious testing time. Taking some practice exams will help you figure out how much time you can spend on each question.

If you haven't taken a test in a while, you might forget that common mistake of spending too much time on a single question. Spending 20 minutes on a single question could leave dozens of easier questions unfinished.

Go in knowing your strengths and weaknesses. If you have a weakness on a particular concept, skip those difficult questions for the end. You can go back and devote your spare time to them once you've covered everything you know well.

Arrive with pencils, erasers, calculators and everything else that you need. Be clear about what is allowed and what isn't.

3. Check Your Work Carefully

Depending on which test you're going to be taking, you need to know how to use the codebook. If you're not a veteran inspector, you might not be on top of what is and isn't kosher.

Some inspectors will remember codes off the top of their head and will breeze through Part C of the exam. If you're feeling a little bit rusty, take some time to refresh your knowledge.

You Can Pass Your CWI Test on the First Try

If you don't know your way around the expectations of the CWI exam, you're going to struggle to pass your test on the first try. The CWI test is easy if you adequately prepare, take time to focus, and stay calm during the day of the exam.

Have you decided to pursue an AWS CWI certification? If this is the case, you have probably spent countless hours doing your research to make sure you meet the requirements.

But of course, what you really want to know is how much money you can make as a CWI. If you want to know, keep reading this article.

What is a CWI?

Before you learn how much a CWI makes, you need to learn a little bit more about the nature of the work.

A CWI stands for a certified welding inspector. CWIs are essential to a variety of construction fields.

CWIs have a number of important responsibilities each day to ensure the quality of a construction project.

When working at a job site, CWIs have to inspect for a variety of things such as compliance with city and state laws, federal safety regulations, and company-specific guidelines.

When a construction project is in full swing, an inspector has to monitor the welding operations to ensure compliance to welding procedures.

If you want to become a CWI, you need 5 years industry experience if you have a high school diploma, if you do not have a high school diploma don’t fret, you can still become a CWI but will need more industry experience. It also helps to have a background in engineering, CWI prep courses, or a similar field.

I’ve received a lot of concerns from prospective students regarding Nondestructive Testing questions in the CWI exam.

Many who have taken CWI prep courses at other institutions found that the coverage of fundamental NDT knowledge is lacking. I imagine this is because most companies that offer CWI prep courses have instructors who may be knowledgeable in practical welding and visual inspection but may not have an NDT background.

AWS does not expect CWIs to be deftly knowledgeable in NDT methods but the newest version of the exam does expect CWIs to have a basic understanding of Ultrasonics, Radiography, Liquid Penetrant, Magnetic Particle and Electromagnetic Testing since NDT of welds is very ingrained in the CWIs work.

AINDT instructors are not only CWIs with a practical welding background but are also ASNT Level IIIs. I myself worked as a code welder am an SCWI and an ASNT level III.

AINDT not only provides CWI prep courses but we also provide Level I, II and III training for Nondestructive Testing in several methods. Rest assured that our CWI prep course will ensure you are sufficiently knowledgeable in Nondestructive testing.

As Demand Outpaces Supply, the Oil and Gas Industry Looks for Creative Solutions

Ask anyone in the pipeline industry, and they’ll tell you there’s a serious shortage of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technicians in North America. A combination of stronger regulations for legacy lines and new construction, plus a lengthy certification process, has created a situation where demand for technicians outpaces supply.

As the name suggests, NDE provides pipeline owner/operators with a way to validate inline inspection (ILI) findings and evaluate anomalies without the risk of further damage. NDE technicians use magnetic particles, radiography, and high-frequency sound waves to locate anomalies in pipelines. In addition, they can confirm the severity of those anomalies – and that helps operators prioritize repairs and reduce the need for costly multiple excavations.

But the success of NDE largely depends on the technician’s ability to analyze results. And, the specific tools and technologies used to conduct NDE can vary from company to company. To ensure accuracy, it’s critical that technicians know how to use the equipment and how to interpret the results of testing.

And the only way to guarantee that is through experience – lots of it. All technicians must complete a combination of classroom and field training to earn NDE certification. Classroom hours are more theory- Addressing The NDE Technician Shortage As Demand Outpaces Supply, the Oil and Gas Industry Looks for Creative Solutions F U T U R E T H I N K I N G based, and students can apply what they’ve learned to a broad range of industries, from structural steel to pipelines. After completing the requisite classroom hours, students complete 2,000 + hours of supervised, industry-specific fieldwork, unique to their area of NDE focus.

So far, there’s no single, permanent way to create a pool of trained, qualified NDE technicians, but there have been some promising developments. Many colleges and technical schools currently offer two-year programs focused on NDE training. In addition, the industry has started to reach out to college graduates with new certification programs that reduce the training hours required for trainees with four-year degrees in engineering or science.

Pipeline service companies are also finding creative ways to build a larger pool of available NDE technicians: Some are pulling technicians from other departments or even other industries. Because there is a common knowledge base for non-destructive technology (NDT), a technician with years of experience in aerospace, for example, can transition to pipelines.

Careers in nondestructive testing are on the rise in today’s economy. These fields are constantly advancing, and there is an ever-growing need for technicians, quality assurance specialists and inspectors. Nondestructive testing (NDT) of materials and structures, is one of the most common forms of quality control. In fact, more and more people are turning to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers, including nondestructive testing to make their living.

The good news is many of these careers, such as nondestructive testing specialists, have customized curriculums that allow people to get the training and experience they need with just a two-year degree. It is not uncommon for NDT technicians to earn a minimum of $40,000 right after graduation. Paying around $10,000 for these degrees, graduates are getting a fantastic return on their educational investment.

AINDT offers the Radiographic Testing (RT) Level II Online Course. This course runs $699 and begins with a review of Level I subjects, continuing with the technical production of proper radiographic imaging. Studies focus on:

Optimizing contrast

Definition

Sensitivity

Film processing

Interpretation

Calculations

Shot techniques

Utilizing acceptance criteria per relevant codes and standards

This course is required for those who have completed RT I and want to advance to a higher certification level. Instructors are waiting to speak with you, so call today for more information: (855) 313-0325.

Want a new career, but the financial considerations seem out of reach? Worried your credit score won't allow you to qualify for assistance? AINDT is excited to now offer financing through Meritize. Your dreams are within reach! Meritize allows you to:

Use your transcript to enhance your credit and improve loan options

Fund the full cost of tuition on your own merit

Choose affordable fixed or variable rates

Select repayment options that work best for you-- full payments, interest-only payments, or no payments until 3 months after graduation

and so much more! Don't let finances stand in your way of a new, rewarding career in non-destructive testing. Call today for more information--instructors are waiting to speak with you! (855) 313-0325.

AINDT offers both Level I and Level II Computed/ Digital Radiography online courses. Each course is $799 and provides technicians, engineers, and manufacturers with an in-depth look into both digital and computed radiographic techniques.

Level I covers:

Handling and processing radiographic film

Radiography techniques

Image quality

Basic radiographic interpretation

Safe use of RT equipment

Level II includes:

Optimizing contrast

Definition

Sensitivity

Film processing

Interpretation

Calculations

Shot techniques

Utilizing acceptance criteria per relevant codes and standards.

AINDT also offers an 8-hour Digital and Computed Radiography Online course for $299. This is designed for those who have finished their Level I and/or Level II Radiography training and 16-hour equipment familiarization training, who wish to add Computed and Digital Radiographic methods, techniques and training to their resume. Whichever certification you seek, AINDT has you covered! Call today for more information: (855) 313-0325.

NDT, or nondestructive testing, plays a crucial role in assuring that structural and mechanical components perform their function in a safe, reliable, and cost-effective manner. NDT technicians perform the necessary tests to locate the indicators and discontinuities that may cause failures or shutdowns in these systems. NDT is performed in a manner that does not affect the future usefulness of the object or material, and can be employed while components are in use to detect service-related conditions caused by:

wear

fatigue

corrosion

stress

other factors

Simply put, NDT keeps the world safer for everyone. Are you ready for a new, rewarding career that will always be in demand? Call AINDT today. Instructors are waiting to speak with you! (855) 313-0325.

In this article, we show how an aerospace OEM manufacturer increased NDT inspection reliability and efficiency with wide-beam, overhead LED UV-A lamps

Mercury-vapor lamps are the biggest culprits when it comes to inconsistent UV lighting. Whether you’re using a hand-held 100W lamp, a larger 400W HID fixture or even low-pressure fluorescent tube lighting, the intensity and coverage of the lamp can change dramatically throughout the day.

Not only do mercury-vapor lamps take time to warm up to full intensity, but any variation in the line voltage directly translates to a change in intensity. Power fluctuations can change from day to day, or even from shift to shift depending on what equipment is running in the plant.

Even with regular maintenance, the intensity of a particular lamp will fade over time as the bulb is used. An inspection booth with both stationary fixtures and hand-held lamps will have different coverage depending on the age of the individual bulbs and when they were last replaced.

The move from mercury-vapor lamps to LED UV lights helps to eliminate these kinds of variations, but swapping out existing lamps with LEDs can bring its own challenges.

Magnaflux is working with our customers to better understand the issues that end-users face. Below, we explain the challenges one aerospace OEM manufacturer faced, and how Magnaflux helped address their challenges.

"Like others, I probably contributed to some weld cracking earlier in my career through ignorance about the effects of hydrogen on some metals. Problem #1 … working as a young Welder, there was usually a stash of 7018 electrodes somewhere handy saving a trip to the holding oven. Problem #2 … I'm showing my age in saying that at that time, microwave ovens had not yet showed up in cafeterias to warm up meals. No problems though as electrode ovens did a good job of heating up leftover mac 'n cheese or a can of baked beans for a warm dinner.

Adding to our ignorance, the welding rods used in both of these circumstances seemed none the worse for the wear making welds that appeared to be acceptable. So the loosely applied rules about keeping the electrodes only in dry holding ovens and used within 4 hours did not seem to justify compliance. Moisture absorbed by SMAW electrode flux coating is only one source of hydrogen entering a weld deposit. It can also exist in FCAW wires, SAW flux or come from high ambient humidity or lubricants used in other manufacturing processes. Moisture of course is hydrogen and oxygen while oils and greases are usually hydrocarbons.

My intent here is to explain in understandable terms why it is so important to control weld exposure to hydrogen for those higher strength steels that are susceptible to hydrogen induced cold cracking (HICC). I’m not a Metallurgist and I may be taking some liberties in the following explanation, but to me at least hearing the effects of HICC first hand and my analogies to explain this phenomenon seem to make sense."

"One of the oldest methods of modern transportation, the history of rail dates back nearly 500 years. With an expansive and aging infrastructure, railroads require constant support to maintain their integrity and operate safely.

Many types of nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques have been used to help ensure the quality of both the rail and the many components that make up a rail car. These methods range from the so-called “car knocker,” which uses acoustic resonance to detect cracked wheels, to the “oil and whiting” test used for fatigue crack detection in steam locomotive pins and axles. Currently, ultrasonic testing (UT) is the preferred method of NDT in the railroad industry.

Ultrasonic testing uses high frequency, directional sound waves to measure material thickness, find hidden flaws, or analyze material properties. UT requires the use of a transducer that transmits and/or receives the ultrasound signals being passed into the metal and a flaw detector to process the results. While UT is used in a range of applications, it is especially important for rail testing."

If you are interested in exploring a career in Nondestructive Testing, talk to an NDT Instructor today 855-313-0325!

"Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is the process of inspecting, testing, or evaluating materials, components, or assemblies for discontinuities or differences in characteristics without altering the original attributes. It has the property to determine the discontinuities and differences in material characteristics. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is broadly divided into NDT equipment and NDT services market. Key NDT inspection methods covered in the report are ultrasonic testing, magnetic and electromagnetic testing, Infrared (IR) thermography testing, shearography testing, radiographic testing, liquid penetrant testing, eddy current testing, and visual testing.

Since the NDT equipment used are very complex in their kinematics and very expensive, and they not only differ widely but there is also lack of NDT equipment knowledge among the end users, all these are acting as a driver for the growth of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services market such as Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) training, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) renting services, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) consultation services are growing rapidly with high growth potential in the future. There is a lot of opportunity for the existing players and new entrants to innovate and differentiate the products range."

The American Institute of Nondestructive Testing (Baxter, MN) is a personalized hybrid teaching school for nondestructive testing. We pride ourselves in educating our graduates on the latest NDT equipment. AINDT also has relationships with cutting edge equipment organizations. Give us a call 855-313-0325 to talk more about Nondestructive testing equipment and services.

Thinking about a career in NonDestructive Testing? The American Institute of NonDestructive Testing has Open Enrollment now until October 2nd. Don't delay - Classes for fall semester start October 7th! Call today to talk to an instructor about a new career in NDT 855-313-0325.

Click Here to request a phone call from an Instructor today! Learn more about a career in NDT and our complete online training courses.

The American Institute of Non-Destructive Testing offers experience you can trust with over 40 years in the Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection Industry. With a combination of online and classroom training - in only 16 weeks you can be on your way to a high demand career!

High Earning Potential - Starting pay in the Non-Destructive Testing industry ranges from $40 – 50,000 per year. Most graduates can look forward to earning $100,000 or more within a few years!

Low Cost - We have created the most affordable NDT and inspection training packages available. Our packages include all the necessary on-line training modules, study material, books, hands-on lab work, and housing costs.

No Guess Work –AINDT understands the industry demands. Our focus is to consistently deliver the most well-equipped, responsible, and knowledgeable professionals to the Non-Destructive Testing needs of civic-minded organizations and communities.